Cambodia Braces for Muslim Tourism

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By:
- Torn Chanritheara
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January 21, 2025, 5:15 PM
JOHOR, Malaysia – Cambodia has huge potential for accommodating tourists from Muslim countries and has stepped up preparedness to welcome them, say industry expert and agent.
The gradual growth of Muslim-friendly services has made Cambodia an appealing spot for travelers from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Taleb Rafat, director of Younes Tourism, said his company has recently organized tours for visitors from Saudi Arabia, including those with royal backgrounds.
Rafat said Muslim tourism has a lot of potential for Cambodia as there has been a change in their perspective on the country.
“Muslim tourists want to come to Cambodia, but they know that Cambodia is a Buddhist country. If they come, it will be difficult. They don’t know where to eat, where to sleep or where to go,” he said.
President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) Chhay Sivlin speaks to Cambodian media during TRAVEX in Johor, Malaysia. Photo by Torn Chanritheara
“Now, they understand the issue.”
He said that most Muslim visitors to Cambodia were from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Siem Reap was their main destination.
Rafat said Cambodia was ready to receive more tourism from Muslim countries while the private sector, including tour agents, has played its part.
He said that before booking a hotel, his company would explain to the hotel what kind of food the tourists need and where the prayer space is. The hotel then would prepare a place and other material required for prayer such as cloths and even a holy Quran.
“The hotels in Phnom Penh are very knowledgeable about this. The kitchen had to be prepared separately,” Rafat said.
Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), agreed on Cambodia’s potential to take advantage from Muslim tourism.
She said Cambodia is focusing on Muslim tourism, which is a large market for many countries since it is a new destination.
“In the past, they did not come to us much, and it was still limited, so they went to other countries. With the guidance from the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia is also working hard to attract private companies to exploit this Muslim market,” she said.
Huge market
In 2024, Cambodia received 6.7 million foreign visitors, of whom about 400,000 were Muslim.
Speaking during the recent The ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) held on the sideline of ASEAN Tourism Forum in Malaysia, Rafat expected that Cambodia can gain a lot from the Muslim market including those from Muslim-majority countries in Central Asia.
“I contacted guests from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and they show interest. Their plan is four days and three nights trips,” he said.
Sivlin said that Cambodia has prepared the infrastructure for Muslim tourists who spend more during their travels from a prayer room at the airport to halal-certified restaurants and hotels.
“When Muslim tourists come to Cambodia, we get a lot of benefits because they spend a lot, even though they are fasting in some festivals. The cost of preparation for the fasting also requires services from tourism operators,” she said.
Countries in the region, including Malaysia and Indonesia, have been targeted by Cambodia, particularly Indonesia because of its big population.
In December, the Ministry of Tourism hosted Cambodia Muslim Friendly Tourism Forum 2024 under the theme “‘The Beauty of Harmonization and Muslim Friendly Tourism Destination”, focusing on understanding the Muslim travel market, cultural heritage and multiculturalism and infrastructure development and halal services.
The ministry also outlines strategies to attract Muslim tourists including strengthening and expanding the quality of Muslim tourism products and services, developing infrastructure to facilitate travel and connect Muslim tourism and developing human resources and raise awareness of Muslim tourism among the private sector.
Taleb Rafat, director of Younes Tourism, speaks to Cambodian media during TRAVEX in Malaysia. Photo by Torn Chanritheara
Friendly service
For them to stay longer and spend more, there are many players involved, starting from tours guide to service providers, Rafat said.
“We have to provide them with our friendly service,” he said. Rafat of Younes Tourism said that currently Cambodia has tour guides who can speak Arabic or Bahasa Malay.
“People are happy when the guide can speak their language. We are training more Muslim resources. We need resources because we want to increase the number of Muslim tourists to our country,” he said.
According to Rafat, Muslims visiting Cambodia also seek community-based homestays as they want to immerse themselves with local Muslims.
Cambodia has several communities with large population of Muslims in Phnom Penh, Krouch Chhmar district in Tboung Khum province, Kampot and Preah Sihanouk provinces.
Halal-certified restaurants and hotels have been expanded in establishments and tourist hotspots. Prayer facilities and separate spaces for Muslim women are becoming increasingly common in hotels and public spaces.
Sivlin said the private sector has more understanding about Islam practices and takes steps to facilitate Muslim tourists for their best stay in the country.
“We chose a location that understands the services for Muslim tourism, from airports, rest areas, hotels, restaurants, all of which have set standards for halal food. The private sector is very understanding,” Sivlin said.
Isa Rohany contributed to the story.
